Description: The Balkan is a 40mm lightweight and compact automatic grenade launcher designed as the replacement for the AGS-30 Plamya weapon system within the Russian Army. The new weapon system will be more effective due to the greater explosive warhead carried by a 40mm in comparison with the 30mm grenades fired by the AGS-30. The Balkan has a maximum range of 2,500 meters and is intended to engage manpower and fortifications. The Federal Scientific Center Pribor is the responsible for the new weapon system. So far, the Russian Army has ordered six grenade launchers and 20,000 40mm grenade cartridges for operational evaluation during 2008.